Most off-grid homes here in Southwest Florida, one of the most challenging air conditioning places in the country due to heat and humidity, have moved to mini-splits. I have a client's system with quad Sol-Ark 15K that is running eight separate mini-splits and a 4-ton central air unit at a sprawling residential complex. There are no issues to report. These were all installed by a reputable local HVAC contractor, so they are not likely DIY brands. I am not certain about the tonnage, but I believe each mini-split is 1.5 tons. These are in a highly corrosive/salt environment. I can't imagine they will last more than a few years each. But from what I hear, clients on the islands are treating them as disposable in a way. It's still much cheaper than replacing central air units every few years.
I have another client's system with a single Sol-Ark 15K and it has two 2-ton mini-splits that are DIY by the homeowner. They barely dent the batteries each day. I see them using as little as 400W to maintain temp in high ambient heat. Most other clients have single mini-splits. I concur with one of the earlier comments to stay away from multi-zone if possible. I don't think there are considerable cost savings anyway, and I have not been able to detect any energy savings going that route. There is a guy I did some work for who is running a few old school window shakers on a Sol-Ark 12K and he has constant problems with surges and performance of the units. He is in line for a mini-split soon, and plans to DIY. Personally, I have a 2-ton DIY cooling my uninsulated garage at home (on grid) when I need to use it for short periods in the summer. It works like a champ, and it was dead easy to install. The hardest part was getting the line set out through the block wall. I think I paid $1,200 for it, including the trim kit to hide the line set and a wall bracket for the compressor unit. I think the bottom line for me is super low startup surge and then fairly consistent power draw once desired temperature is reached. I feel this is much easier to plan for off-grid rather than repeated start/stop cycles. Jason Szumlanski Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP) Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956 Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208 On Thu, Mar 13, 2025 at 4:41 PM Wayne Irwin via RE-wrenches < [email protected]> wrote: > Hi Pieter, > > I should have said that I "No Longer" vacuum them as the extra step that I > previously applied made no difference in my experience. We are also in FL. > with extremely high humidity which might be the difference. Most of the AC > contractors here confirm the same experience. > > That said, they do work well with solar applications. > > > Wayne Irwin > President > License #CVC56695 > State Licensed Solar Contractor > Pure Energy Solar International Inc. > [email protected] > PureEnergySolar.com <http://pureenergysolar.com/> > SolarChargingStation.com <http://solarchargingstation.com/> > 352 377-6527 Office > 352 336-3299 Fax > > > The Sun Is Always Shining! > > The content of this message is Pure Energy Solar Confidential. If you are > not the intended recipient and have received this message in error, any use > or distribution is prohibited. Please notify me immediately by reply e-mail > and delete this message from your computer system. Thank you. > > ------------------------------ > *From:* pieter offgridenterprises.org <[email protected]> > *Sent:* Thursday, March 13, 2025 4:09 PM > *To:* RE-wrenches <[email protected]> > *Cc:* Wayne Irwin <[email protected]> > *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] mini splits > > Wayne, I saw your post regarding the use of ductless mini splits. I too > use them extensively, and have an unblemished track record using them. I > must say that your failures may be in part due to the fact that you do not > evacuate the system during the installation process. For what it is worth > the proper procedure is to precharge the system with nitrogen to about > 200PSI. Then check for leaks and verify the system will hold pressure. Then > pull a vacuum on the system for maybe 15 or 20 minutes before releasing the > refrigerant. If you skip these steps you are vulnerbale to diminished > performance caused by any air left in the circuit, any moisture will react > with the refrigerant and turn acidic eventually leading to corrosion. I see > you keep the lines closed as much as possible but non the less I think will > find your system longevity will increase, and potentially the performance > will be better. > You are getting about ten years so not to bad but I have some healthy > systems that are 20 years old still going strong. > Pieter > ------------------------------ > *From:* RE-wrenches <[email protected]> on behalf > of Wayne Irwin via RE-wrenches <[email protected]> > *Sent:* Thursday, March 13, 2025 12:02 PM > *To:* RE-wrenches <[email protected]> > *Cc:* Wayne Irwin <[email protected]> > *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] mini splits > > Hey Jay, > > I live off grid (25yrs) in North Fla. (temp range is teens - 100+ F) with > mini-splits throughout the house (2,700sq'). > I have used just about every brand. We primarily use them for cooling but > also use heat to supplement the wood stove. > I can't imagine living without them. Although it's a love/hate > relationship. > My experience is that you get about 10 years max from whatever brand you > buy. Typically, the inside unit corrodes from condensation and leaks out, > or the outside unit reversing valve locks up in cold or heat position. IMO > They are not worth repairing. We currently have 4 - 1 Ton units and 1 - 2 > ton. I only buy 1 to1 systems vs 1 -4 as it offers redundancy. I initially > tried "reputable" brands which typically cost more but have since migrated > to whatever is the cheapest. > That said I like Gree and/or the knock off brand that they make (good for > the price and holding up well). When I am in need of more than one, I > always buy an extra to swap out whichever unit dies first. > Fortunately for me, years ago, I had a buddy show me how to install them. > Pretty simple. They come pre-charged and can typically handle up to 30' of > line with no issues. If possible, find someone to show you once. YouTube > will offer many WRONG ways to do it videos. > I don't use the vacuum on the lines. I just keep the lines plugged and dry > until I hook them up. > > My 15kW array with 2 - VFX3648R's has had no issue powering any of them. > > I hope this info helps. > > Wayne Irwin > President > License #CVC56695 > State Licensed Solar Contractor > Pure Energy Solar International Inc. > [email protected] > PureEnergySolar.com <http://pureenergysolar.com/> > SolarChargingStation.com <http://solarchargingstation.com/> > 352 377-6527 Office > 352 336-3299 Fax > 352 316-1637 Cell > > The Sun Is Always Shining! > > The content of this message is Pure Energy Solar Confidential. If you are > not the intended recipient and have received this message in error, any use > or distribution is prohibited. Please notify me immediately by reply e-mail > and delete this message from your computer system. Thank you. > > ------------------------------ > *From:* RE-wrenches <[email protected]> on behalf > of Michael Morningstar via RE-wrenches <[email protected]> > *Sent:* Thursday, March 13, 2025 11:05 AM > *To:* RE-wrenches <[email protected]> > *Cc:* Michael Morningstar <[email protected]> > *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] mini splits > > I'm interested in this too > > On Thu, Mar 13, 2025 at 7:39 AM jay via RE-wrenches < > [email protected]> wrote: > > HI All, > > I have been getting a lot of questions about people wanting to install > mini splits in their off grid homes, and in normal homes. > > The line of questions usually involves DIY vs contractor. Of course the > price difference is staggering, roughly 5X more for contractor. And I’m > being asked all sorts of questions about the DIY versions. > > Is there a good place for information so I can educate myself as to the > different brands etc > Or maybe someone can contact me off list if they have some info to share. > > Thanks’ > > jay > >
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